Computers: Jargon buster
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Emulator: A piece of hardware or more usually a program that makes one computer act like another.
Open systems: Systems that work with a mix of hardware and software from different manufacturers.
Operating system: The basic program all computers need to make the different components of the system work together.
PC-compatible: Computers which use the operating standards set by IBM's original Personal Computer, basically chips based on Intel's design and the Dos operating system.
Platform: A term used to refer the most basic layer of components that make up the computer, the main processor board and chips. An 'Intel platform' uses Intel chip technology.
Processor chip: The main microprocessor that carries out the instructions of programs to manipulate data.
Upgrade: To change to a newer more powerful version of a program or piece of hardware.